Symptoms And Complications Of Mumps In Men

Mumps is characterized by an infection caused by the mumps virus. The contagious (easily transmissible) infection usually occurs during spring and winter seasons. It is imperative to mention that younger children usually fall victim to mumps infection and in some cases, develops serious complications even with treatment. The effect of these complications become evident as the kid grows up. Contact with the nasal discharge or saliva of an affected person is usually the primary source of the spread of infection. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, he makes the people around him prone to getting the infection. The symptoms appear 12-25 days after contracting the infection. Since it is a contagious infection, the infected person can pass it on to the people around him for a period of up to three days prior to when symptoms appear. However, mumps is not as contagious as chickenpox or measles.

Symptoms Of Mumps

The severity of illness varies from person to person. The classic symptoms are:

• Headache
• Fever
• Muscle and body aches
• Feeling of fatigue or persistent tiredness
• The salivary glands become tender. The parotid gland also becomes affected.

Complications Associated With Mumps Infection

This type of infection does not always lead to serious complications, however rarely when it does, they can be life-threatening. Complications associated with mumps include:

• Orchitis, a condition characterized by swollen and inflamed testicles. Rarely, it may even cause permanent sterility.
• Meningitis: It is a serious life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation of meninges, the membranes thatsurrounds the spinal cord and brain. If the inflammation remains untreated, the chances of survival are very low.
• Encephalitis: It is condition characterized by the inflammation of brain substance.
• Pancreatitis: It is the swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
• Hearing loss: Loss of hearing is also a rare complication of mumps which can be either permanent or temporary.

A person, who contracts mumps for the first time, develops an immunity against it which decreases the likelihood of getting the infection again.

Vaccination Against Mumps In Adult Males

The vaccine available for this type of infection is often administered at a young age. There is a combination of vaccines available for mumps and measles. Vaccination against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) is not necessary for every individual particularly when:

• The results of the blood test show well-developed immunity against mumps
• A person has already been vaccinated twice against MMR
• A person has received 1 dose of measles vaccine and the other of MMR vaccine
• A person has been vaccinated against MMR at least once is at low risk of developing the infection
• If a person is born before the year 1957

Following people should avoid getting vaccinated against MMR:

• People with known history of severe allergy to neomycin (an antibiotic) or gelatin
• People who had a blood associated disorder, cancer or any other disease that compromises their immunity

Adverse Effects Of MMR Vaccine

Majority of the people experience no side effects after being vaccinated against MMR. However very rarely, some people may experience an allergic reaction that may be quite serious. 10% of the vaccinated people also experience a mild fever that may last for up to 5-12 days after being vaccinated whereas 5% of the people develops a serious rash.

Treatment

The best thing to do upon contracting the infection is self-care. Taking adequate rest can help alleviate the symptoms. Over the counter pain killers such ibuprofen and aspirin may as well be used for discomfort and fever.

References

• Kanda, T., Mochida, J., Takada, S., Hori, Y., Yamaguchi, K., & Takahashi, S. (2014). Case of mumps orchitis after vaccination. International Journal of Urology, 21(4), 426-428.
• Lian, B. S., Cheong, Y. L., Low, Y., & Nah, S. A. (2016). Testicular atrophy: A complication of non-mumps orchitis after scrotal exploration for presumed testicular torsion. Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare, 25(3), 185-187.